The cop drama subgenre features law enforcement officers, their work, and the challenges they face while investigating crimes, maintaining order, and upholding the law. Cop dramas often provide a glimpse into the daily lives, moral dilemmas, and personal struggles of police officers as they navigate the complexities of their profession.

Ethan Hawke and Denzel Washington in Training Day (2001)

The drug crime subgenre features criminal activities related to illegal drugs, drug trafficking, drug abuse, and the efforts of law enforcement to combat the drug trade. These narratives often explore the consequences of drug-related criminal behavior, the impact on individuals and communities, and the challenges faced by those seeking to bring criminals to justice.

Wendell Pierce and Dominic West in The Wire (2002)

The police procedural subgenre features the detailed and realistic depiction of police work, investigative procedures, and the step-by-step process of solving crimes. Police procedural stories typically follow law enforcement officers or detectives as they methodically investigate crimes, gather evidence, interview witnesses and suspects, and work to solve cases.

Ice-T, Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino, and Kelli Giddish

The action genre features fast-paced, thrilling, and intense sequences of physical feats, combat, and excitement. The characters of these stories are involved in daring and often dangerous situations, requiring them to rely on their physical prowess, skills, and quick thinking to overcome challenges and adversaries.

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

Vice detectives Crockett and Tubbs, from Miami-Dade's organized crime bureau, go undercover as criminals to infiltrate and dismantle southern Florida's criminal enterprises.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Untitled UAP-Disclosure Thriller Kosinski/Bruckheimer Apple

Untitled American Psycho/Luca Guadagnino Project

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